Applied Materials reports results for Q1-2012

SANTA CLARA, USA: Applied Materials Inc. reported results for its first quarter of fiscal 2012 ended January 29, 2012.

Applied generated orders of $2.01 billion and net sales of $2.19 billion. Non-GAAP operating income was $344 million, and non-GAAP net income was $240 million or 18 cents per share. GAAP operating income was $179 million, and GAAP net income was $117 million or 9 cents per share. Applied completed the acquisition of Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc. during the quarter, and the results include Varian's operations for the full period.

"Global demand for mobile devices is driving a third consecutive year of strong capital investment by semiconductor customers," said Mike Splinter, chairman and CEO. "As a result, we see solid order momentum and an improved outlook overall for our second quarter."

"Applied delivered net sales and earnings above the high end of our expectations," said George Davis, chief financial officer. "In a quarter in which we closed the Varian acquisition, we also returned substantial capital to our stockholders, paying $104 million in cash dividends and using $200 million to repurchase over 18 million shares of our common stock."